Page 25 of Daddy’s Hunted Bride

From her place in her Daddy’s arms, Tabby wrinkles her nose. “They’ll all use it if you give them a reason and you do not want that to happen.”

Well, now I need to know exactly what happened to poor Tabby. For now, I force a smile. “I’ll be sure not to give them a reason, then.”

All of Dane’s siblings share smug, knowing looks, and it takes every bit of self-control I have not to snap at them.

Jerks.

Luckily, I’m saved from my own aggravation when Bram steps forward, Marjorie balanced on his hip. “My Josie picked this out for you. She said you’d love it.”

Practically vibrating with excitement, Marjorie thrusts another package at me. This one is almost as thick, but more rectangular shaped, and judging by the look on my friend’s face, I have a pretty good idea what it might be.

And I’m right. It’s a book. But not just any book.

“Nessie!” I squeal, hugging the book of cryptids to my chest. “Thank you, Marjorie!”

“I know how much you like all that spooky stuff,” she says with a giggle. “And you really should start calling me Josie. We’re like, cousins now.”

The thought of being not only Marjorie Thorne’s friend but her family now fills me with a warmth I hadn’t expected to feel while trapped in a house with a bunch of crazy-ass lumberjacks. I know, logically, that it’s both ridiculous and dangerous, but I’m desperate to cling to whatever comfort I can find right now.

“A Nessie stuffie and a Nessie book.” Dane’s voice is filled with amusement. “I’m starting to sense a theme.”

Lanie squeals with excitement. “Nessie! What a cute nickname that would be for Vanessa!”

Beside me, Dane stiffens. “You are not naming my babygirl after the Loch Ness Monster, Melanie Brynne.”

I hate nicknames. My entire life I’ve insisted on being called by my full name and nothing else, even with my closest friends and family.

But knowing how much Dane will be annoyed by this nickname, well…

It’s far too delicious to pass up.

“I love it! I’ve always wanted to be a monster.” Raising my hands in the air, I curl my fingers into claws and make a “rawr” sound

Dane growls low in his throat, and I hate that it sounds so much more real than my own pathetic attempt. “You’re going to pay for that, little fox.”

I have no doubt I will, but that’s a problem for future Nessie.

Ignoring him for now, I set the book carefully aside and look up at our gathered family. “Is that all the presents?”

“Only the beginning,” Colt says, elbowing his twin out of the way and earning a hard glare in return. “We also asked Josie for her opinion on which gift to give you and I think you’ll be quite delighted.”

Taking the oddly shaped present from his hand, I rip the paper off—and immediately burst into laughter.

“More Nessie!”

It’s a snowglobe, and suspended inside is indeed a tiny replica of my new namesake. Nessie floats in the water, surrounded by green glitter, and it might just be my favorite thing ever.

“Thank you, Colt and Tabby. I love her.”

Beside me, Dane clears his throat, and I have to resist the urge to roll my eyes when I look over. “What?” I ask, inwardly wincing at the snap in my voice that’s likely to end up with me over his lap sooner rather than later.

One dark brow raises toward Dane’s hairline. “One, you address my siblings as Uncle or Auntie. Two, keep up the attitude and you will be eating breakfast on a red-hot bottom, little girl.”

Embarrassment floods my face. I shouldn’t care about being scolded like a child in front of the people who helped kidnap me, but clearly I do. “Sorry.”

“Sorry, Daddy.”

“You don’t have to call me Daddy. Nessie is just fine.”